Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks



Aug. 23, 1966 H. E. BOYD 3,267,509

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS ATTORNEYS www Aug. 23, 1966 H. E. BOYD APPARATUS FOR CLEANING sEPTc TANKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1965 INVENTOR.

@mM/@AM ATTGRNEY 53 Aug 23, 1966 H. E. BOYD 3,267,509

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS Filed Feb. 12, 1965 3 Sheets-Shee'l 5 22 INVENTOR 25 Habmes Eaydy BY l ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,267,509 APPARATUS FR CLEANING SEPHC TANKS Holmes E. Boyd, 4211 47th St. NW., Canton, Ghia 44713 Enea Fas. 12, 196s, ser. No. 432,320 14 Claims. (Cl. lli-314) The invention relates to apparatus for removing sewage from septic tanks, cesspools and the like, and more particularly to such apparatus including a tank and a pump for creating either vacuum or pressure therein.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character referred to mounted upon a truck body, the pump being arranged to be driven by the power take-off of the truck. I

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus in which a four-'way valve is interposed between a pressure line and a vacuum line connected to the pump, a line connected to the top of the unit tank and an outside exhaust or intake line, whereby either vacuum or pressure may be produced in the tank and a three-way valve means is interposed between the outside exhaust and the intake line whereby either suction or air under pressure may be applied to a hose connected to the intake line.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character in which a water separator is located in the line connected to the top of the tank.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to in which an air filter is located in the vacuum line to the pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which a check valve is located in the vacuum line to the pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character in which a pressure relief valve is located in the pressure line from the pump.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character in which an vautomatic water shut-off is provided in the pipe leading from the top of the unit tank to the four-way valve.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character in which means is provided for continuously oiling the vital parts of the pump during operation thereof.

These and other objects, apparent from the drawings and following description, may be attained, the above described difficulties overcome and the advantages and results obtained, by the apparatus, construction, arrangements and combinations, subcombinations and parts which comprise the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principle, being set forth in detail in the following description and illustralted in the `accompanying drawings.

The invention may be briefly described as comprising a horizontally disposed tank, which may be of cylindrical form, having a manhole on its upper side near the forward end of the tank and a second manhole on its rear end at the lower portion thereof, whereby sand and silt may be cleaned from the interior of the tank.

The tank is mounted upon a truck body and is preferably inclined slightly downward toward its rear end, as by placing a wedge block under its forward end, in order to settle material toward the rear end of the tank, as the discharge valve is located at the lower portion thereof. A rotary air pump is mounted upon the truck body, on one side of the tank, and is preferably connected to the power take-oft" of the truck so as to be driven thereby.

A vacuum line is connected to the intake side of the pump and leads to a four-way valve which controls op- Patented August 23, 1966 eration of the apparatus. An air lter is Ilocatedin this Vacuum line and also a check valve `is located between the filter and the four-way valve.

A pressure line is connected to the discharge side of the pump and also connected to the four-way valve. A pressure relief valve is located in the pressure line between the pump and the four-way valve. A pipe leads from the top of the tank, near the forward end thereof, to the four-way valve, a water separator being interposed therein to prevent water from being carried to the air filter.

An automatic water shut-off is provided at the point where this pipe communicates with the top of the tank, the samebeing in the form of a sponge rubber ball which is oated upward to closed position when the liquid level reaches a predetermined height in the tank.

An outside intake and exhaust pipe is also connected to the four-way valve and leads to a three-fway valve which controls selective communication of said pipe with the outside atmosphere, or with a hose connection leading to the septic ltank to be cleaned. This hose connection is formed upon the outer end of an inlet pumping pipe, leading through the lower portion of the rear end of the unit tank and then extending upward to a point near the top thereof. An inlet pumping valve is located in said pipe for opening or closing the same as required.

A discharge or dumping pipe communicates with the lower end portion of the rea-r end of the unit tank and has a dumping valve in the form of a shut-olf valve therein. A vacuum and pressure gauge may be located between the water separator and the four-way valve for the purpose of indicating the vacuum or pressure as the case may be. A sight glass may be mounted upon Ithe rear end of the tank to indicate the level of the contents of the tank.

Reference is nofw made particularly to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, in which;

FIG. 1 .is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the pump, pipes and valves, the unit tank being indicated in broken lines;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the apparatus, parts being broken away for the purpose of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal or vertical sectional view through the upper portion of the water separator;

FIG. 4 is a transverse or horizontal section through the water separator, taken on the line 4 4, FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional elevation of the rear portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of the automatic water shut-off; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the air filter.

Referring first more particularly to FIGS. l, 2 and 5, the transmission of the truck is indicated generally at 1 and a conventional two-gear power take-off is indicated diagrammatically at 2, operatively connected to the transmission. The unit tank is indicated in broken lines at 3, and in actual practice is mounted upon the body of the truck.

A rotary air pump 4 is mounted on the body of the truck, on one side of the unit tank 3, and the shaft 5 of the pump is connec-ted by the universal joints 6 and shaft 7' to the power take-off 2 of the truck. Three oil cups, indicated at 8, are mounted on the truck body, adjacent to the pump, and connected by the oil lines 9 to vital parts of the pump 4 and are adapted to deliver oil thereto at the -rate of one drop per second during operation of the pump.

A vacuum, or intake, line 10 communicates with the intake side of the pump 4 and leads to one side of a four-way valve, indicated generally at 11, which controls the ow of air in and out of the unit tank 3. A pressure or exhaust pipe 12 communicates with the exhaust side of the pump 4 and leads to the other side of the four-way valve 11. A pipe 13 communicates with the top of .the tank 3, near the forward end thereof, and leads to the top of the four-way valve 11, and an outside intake and exhaust pipe 14 communicates with the bottom of the fourway valve 11 and leads to a three-way valve 1S which is used as an agitator valve. h

An air filter, indicated generally at 16, is located 1n the vacuum line 10, between the pump 4 and the fourway valve 11. This air filter is shown in detail in FIG. 7 and includes a specially constructed T-connection 17, having a vertical baffle wall 18 therein and a partial closure wall 19, at its lower end, in which a threaded aperture 20 is formed.

The reduced threaded neck 21 of the cylindrical filter material holder 22 is screwed into the threaded aperture 20. Filter material, such as cotton gauze material or the like, indicated at 23, is located within :the cylindrical holder 22 and held therein as by the crossed wires or :rods 24 at the lower open end thereof.

The outer housing 25 of the filter 16 may be of cylindrical shape with the internal screw threads 26 at its upper, open end for screwing upon the externally threaded lower end 27 of the T-connection 17. For the purpose of easily screwing the outer housing 25 in place, or unscrewing it from the T-connection 17, a cross bar 28 may be welded to the closed lower end 29 thereof, as indicated at 38.

It will thus be seen, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 7, that air passing into the inlet side 31 of the lter will be deected downward by the baille wall 18 and the cylindrical holder 22, and then upward through `the lter material 23 and out through the discharge side 32 of the lter.

The purpose of this filter is to keep dirt and contamination out of the pump 4. Between the filter 16 and the four-way valve 11 is a check valve 33, provided for the purpose of holding the vacuum in the tank 3 and to prevent the pump 4 from running in reverse direction when it is not being driven by lthe power takeoff.

In the pressure line 12, extending from the exhaust side of the pump 4 to the four-way valve 11, is located a pressure relief valve 34, which is provided for relieving excess air pressure and eliminating strain on the pump. This valve should be set for 7 pounds, and not more than 8 pounds pressure should be used.

On the top of the tank 3, near the front end thereof, is located a manhole, indicated generally at 35. As best shown in FIG. 6, this comprises a ring 36, welded as at 37 to the top of the -tank 3, surrounding the opening 38 therein. An annular flange 39 is welded, as at 40, to the upper end of the ring 36. The manhole cover 41 is removably attached by means of screws 42 located through suitable apertures 43 in the cover 41 and through threaded openings 44 in the annular flange 39.

The pipe 13 is connected to the upper end of the tank 3 at a point near the manhole by means of a special elbow 45, having the reduced internally threaded end 46, to which the externally threaded end 47 of the pipe 13 is screwed, and the enlarged end 48, welded to the tank 3, as at 49, surrounding the opening 50 therein.

An automatic water shut-off is provided at this point, including a sponge rubber ball 51, normally seated on a V-shape or conical seat 52, supported at a point spaced below the opening 58 andadapted to be oated up as the liquid level rises in the tank 3, and then to be drawn up by air suction to the broken line position shown in FIG. 6, sealing the entrance to the pipe 13.

At the rear end of the tank 3, the pipe 13 is bent downward as at 13a, and connected to the water separator, indicated generally at 53. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water separator includes the elongated, vertical, cylin drical tank 54, having the upper opening surrounded 4 by the reduced neck 56, to which the lower end of the pipe 13 may be connected, as by screw threads 57.

The lower end of the tank 54 connects with the drain pipe 58, having a drain valve 59 therein. A horizontal pipe 13b is connected to one side of the tank 53, at a point spaced from the upper end thereof, and leads to a T-connection 60. A vacuum and pressure gauge 61 is connected to the upper end of the T-connection 60, and the pipe 13C leads from the lower end thereof to the top of the four-way valve 11.

A downwardly disposed, curved or inclined, baffle 62 is located within the .tank 54 of the water separator, being welded thereto as indicated at 63. This bafile is located on the side of the top opening 55 toward the side opening 64 communicating with' the horizontal pipe 13b and extends for some distance below the opening 64.

The water separator is for the purpose of preventing foaming sewage from being drawn into the air lter 16. Any water entering the water separator will drain down the bathe 62 and out through the drain valve 59. A water glass 65, preferably formed of a tube of transparent plastic material, is connected at its upper and lower ends to the unit tank 3 as Iby the connections 66 and 67, respectively.

Referring again to the three-way valve 15, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, as best shown in FIG. 5 the casing thereof is in the center of an inverted T, one end of which is connected to the pipe 14 and the opposite end of which is connected to a short exhaust or intake pipe 68, the top being connected to the upright pipe 69 which communicates with the inlet pumping pipe 70, the inner end of which extends upward preferably at a 45 angle as ndicated at 71, and terminates near .the top of the tank 3.

The inlet pumping valve 72 is located in the pipe 70, between the pipe 69 and the rear head 73 of the tank 3. A manhole, indicated generally at 74, is located centrally in ythe lower side of the rear head 73 of the tank and may be of the same construction as above described in detail with reference to the manhole 35.

The dumping or discharge pipe 75 communicates with the lower rear portion of the tank 3 and is preferably located .through the cover 76 of the manhole 74. The dumping valve 77 is located in the dumping pipe 75. The outer ends of the inlet pumping pipe 70 and of the dumping pipe 75 are each shown as grooved, as indicated at 78, to permit attachment thereto of a conventional hose coupling.

A portion of the truck frame is indicated at 79 in FIGS. 2 and 5. The rear wheels of the truck are indicated at 80, and the rear axle and differential housing at 81, and a portion of the truck body at 82, in FIG. 2.

The four-way valve 11 is adapted to be moved to either of two positions. When in .the left or vacuum position, the Vacuum line 10 communicates with the upper pipe 13e and the pressure line 12 communicates with the lower pipe 14. When moved to the right or pressure position, the pressure line 12 communicates with the upper pipe 13C and the vacuum line 10 communicates with the lower pipe 14.

To operate the apparatus, the four-way valve 11 is turned to the left, or vacuum position, so that the vacuum line 10 communicates with the upper pipe 13e and the pressure line 12 communicates with the lower pipe 14. All other valves are closed.

The three-way valve 15 may be set so as to exhaust through 68 to the atmosphere, or may be turned to exhaust up through the pipe 69 and out through the outer end of the inlet pumping pipe 70. In the latter case a hose would be connected to the end of the inlet pumping pipe 70 and extended into the septic tank or cess pool to be cleaned, so that while a vacuum is .being produced in the unit tank 3, the air taken out of said tank may be forced into the septic tank for agitating the contents thereof.

When the uni-t reaches the desired amount of vacuum (perfera-bly approximately 14 inches vacuum) the three way agitator valve 15 is turned to exhaust air out of 63 and the inlet pumping valve 72 is opened. Sewage will then be drawn up from the septic tank through the hose and through the inlet pumping pipe 70 into the tank 3.

Although the unit will pull the normal thickness of sewage at 14 inches vacuum, it will build up to 22 inches when necessary. The tank 3 may be permitted to fill up until all of the sewage is removed lfrom the septic tank or cess pool being cleaned, or until the liquid level in the `tank 3 floats the sponge rubber ball 51 (FIG. 6) upward so that it is sucked into the smaller end of the elbow 45 as shown in broken lines, automatically shutting olf the How of air. When the tank 3 has received the full load and the automatic shut-off has been activated, the vacuum gauge will drop to full 22 inches.

As soon as this occurs, the inlet pumping valve 72 should then be closed and the four-way valve 11 should be thrown to `the pressure position, connecting the pressure line 12 with the upper pipe 13C and connecting the vacuum line 10 with the lower pipe 14.

When the gauge 61 shows pressure, the drain valve S9 should be opened and left open until the unit reaches the dumping area. Upon reaching the dumping area, the drain valve 59 should be closed, and with the four-way valve 11 moved to the pressure position, as above stated, the dumping valve 77 is opened.

Air will then 'be drawn through the intake or exhaust 68, three-way valve 1S, pipe 14, four-Way valve 11, vacuum line itl, check valve 3, lter 16 to the pump i and then from the pump through the pressure relief valve 34, pressure line 12, four-way valve 11, pipe 13C, T-coupling (sli, pipe 13b, water separator 53, pipes 13a and 13 to the top of `the tank 3, placing pressure upon the sewage and forcing the sewage through the dumping valve 77 and dumping pipe 75, discharging it from the tank.

If sewage will not discharge through the dumping valve 77 and pipe 75, place the unit on vacuum and build full vacuum, then open the dumping valve '7'7 to pull sand and silt away from said valve. Then proceed with the dumping operation as above.

After the tank 3 has been emptied, all valves should be closed and the four-way valve 11 should be moved back to the vacuum position as above described. The unit is now ready for the next job.

Sometimes, `because of the condition of the sewage, it is necessary to back-flush after the tank 3 has been filled. For this purpose a hose should be placed upon the outer end of the dumping pipe 75 and the other end thereof placed in the septic tank or cess pool being cleaned.

The four-way valve 11 should be moved to the pressure position, the same as above described for dumping the contents of the tank 3, and `the dumping valve 77 should be opened. As air pressure builds up wit-hin the tank, the sewage will be discharged therefrom through the dumping valve 77 and dumping pipe 75 and hose connected thereto, back into the septic tank or cess pool, breaking up the sewage.

After backaushing, the hose should be changed back to the inlet pumping valve, the four-way valve 11 is moved back to the vacuum position as above described, and the sewage in the septic tank or cess pool may be further agitated as above described.

When thoroughly broken up, the sewage may then be withdrawn from the septic tank or cess pool into the tank 3, in the manner above described, and then dumped as above described.

The drain valve 59, upon the bottom of the water separator S3, may be opened occasionally to drain any accumulated moisture from the water separator. This valve may also be used to release vacuum, or pressure, from the tank 3 and should be opened at full load.

The gauze iilter material 23 in the filter 16 should be changed regularly, the frequency depending upon the use of the apparatus. Caution should be used in not packing this ilter material too tightly in the filter as this may result in slowing the vacuum build-up.

All of the air piping is preferably 11/2-inch pipe, so as to allow full volume ow of air in and out of the unit. The suction and discharge lines of sewage, 70 and 75 respectively, may be of any desired size.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, -clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are .by Way of ex ample, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and the use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for `operating the fourway valve to vacuurn position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to create a vacuum in said. tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

2,. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, ka rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the plump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air lter in said vacuum line between the pump and said four-way valve, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agita tor valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, -means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way Valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way Valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in saiddumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-wayv valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

3. Apparaus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, a check valve in said Vacuum line between the pump and said four-way valve, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way Valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe ter-minating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the fourway valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means lfor operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof` through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

4. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air lter and a check valve in said vacuum line between the pump and said four-way valve, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end Xof the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecing the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve,

an inlet pumping Valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way Valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to vacuum position connecting said Vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way Valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vaculum line to sai-d air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

5. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side lof the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, a pressure relief valve in said pressure line between the pump and said four-way valve, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, anair exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a threeway agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion lof said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a ydumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-Way valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top Iof the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to create a Vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

6. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air iilter in said vacuum line between the pump and said four-way valve, said air Iiilter comprising a housing, gauze filter material in said housing, and means for circulating air through said filter material, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating Within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe With the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to -create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

7. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line `connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an automatic shut-off for said air pipe controlled by the liquid level in the tank, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a threeway agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, `an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

8. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-Way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an automatic shut-off for said air pipe controlled by the liquid level in the tank, said automatic shut-oftc including a sponge -rubber ball near the entrance to said air pipe, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, la dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to create a vacuum. in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank t-o force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

9. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, a water separator in said air pipe between the tank and said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe Abetween said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting `a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum `line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

10. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected -to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, a water separator in said air pipe between the tank and said four- Way valve, said water separator comprising a vertical housing the upper end of which is connected to said air pipe, a horizontally disposed outlet pipe communicating with said vertical housing at a point spaced from the top thereof, and a bathe wall in said vertical housing extending from the top thereof to a point below said outlet pipe, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose inthe septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve `to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the rtop of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

11. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a Vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe being inclined inwardly and upwardly and terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in `the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means foi operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

12. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a truck, a tank mounted thereon, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a power take-olf on the truck operatively connected Ito said pump, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe -connected to said four-way valve, a three- Way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the/tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-Way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, Ya dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping Valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic ltank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

13. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a plurality of oil receptacles, tubes leading from said oil receptacles to vital parts of the pump for continuously lubricating the same, a vacuum line connected to the in- -take side of the pump, a pressure line connected to the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said Vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of .the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-way valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe wth the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to Vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, and means for operating the four-way valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

14. Apparatus for cleaning septic tanks and the like, including a tank, a rotary air pump adjacent the tank, a vacuum line connected to the intake side of the pump, a pressure line connected Vto the discharge side of the pump, a four-way valve to which said vacuum line and pressure line are connected, an air filter and a check valve in said vacuum line between the pump and said four-way valve,

a pressure relief valve in the pressure line between the pump and said four-way valve, an air pipe communicating with the top of said tank and connected to said four- Way valve, an automatic shut-off for said air pipe controlled by the liquid level in the tank, a water separator in said air pipe between the tank and the four-way valve, an air exhaust and intake pipe connected to said four-Way valve, a three-way agitator valve connected to said air exhaust and intake pipe, an inlet pumping pipe located through one end of the tank near the lower side thereof, the inner end of said inlet pumping pipe being inclined inwardly and upwardly and terminating within the tank near the top thereof, means connecting the outer end portion of said inlet pumping pipe to said three-way valve, an inlet pumping valve in said inlet pumping pipe between said connection to the three-Way Valve and the tank, an atmospheric connection to said three-way valve, a dumping pipe communicating with the lower portion of said tank, a dumping valve in said dumping pipe, means for alternately connecting a hose to said inlet pumping pipe and said dumping pipe with the other end of the hose in the septic tank being cleaned, means for operating the four-way valve to Vacuum position connecting said vacuum line to said air pipe communicating with Ithe top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said pressure line to said air exhaust and intake pipe, to create a vacuum in said tank to draw sewage from the septic tank through the hose and the inlet pumping pipe into the tank when said inlet pumping valve is opened, `and means for operating the fourway valve to pressure position connecting said pressure line to said air pipe communicating with the top of the tank, and simultaneously connecting said vacuum line to said air exhaust and inlet pipe to create a pressure in said tank to force the contents thereof through said dumping pipe when said dumping valve is opened.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,587,864 6/1926 Sargent 137-205 2,664,911 1/1954 Thompson et al 13T-205 3,125,294 3/1964 Lill 239-172 3,136,485 6/1964 Bellows et al 239-148 X FOREIGN PATENTS 686,519 3/1904 Germany.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS AND THE LIKE, INCLUDING A TANK, A ROTARY AIR PUMP ADJACENT THE TANK, A VACUUM LINE CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE PUMP, A PRESSURE LINE CONNECTED TO THE DISCHARGE SIDE OF THE PUMP, A FOUR-WAY VALVE TO WHICH SAID VACUUM LINE AND PRESSURE LINE ARE CONNECTED, AN AIR PIPE COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOP OF SAID TANK AND CONNECTED TO SAID FOUR-WAY VALVE, AN AIR EXHAUST AND INTAKE PIPE CONNECTED TO SAID FOUR-WAY VALVE, A THREE-WAY AGITATOR VALVE CONNECTED TO SAID AIR EXHAUST AND INTAKE PIPE, AN INLET PUMPING PIPE LOCATED THROUGH ONE END OF THE TANK NEAR THE LOWER SIDE THEREOF, THE INNER END OF SAID INLET PUMPING PIPE TERMINATING WITHIN THE TANK NEAR THE TOP THEREOF, MEANS CONNECTING THE OUTER END PORTION OF SAID INLET PUMPING PIPE TO SAID THREE-WAY VALVE, AN INLET PUMPING VALVE IN SAID INLET PUMPING PIPE BETWEEN SAID CONNECTION TO THE THREE-WAY VALVE AND THE TANK, AN ATMOSPHERIC CONNECTION TO SAID THREE-WAY VALVE, A DUMPING PIPE COMMUNICATING WITH THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID TANK, A DUMPING VALVE IN SAID DUMPING PIPE, MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY CONNECTING A HOSE TO SAID INLET PUMPING PIPE AND SAID DUMPING PIPE WITH THE OTHER END OF THE HOSE IN THE SEPTIC TANK BEING CLEANED, MEANS FOR OPERATING THE FOUR-WAY VALVE TO VACUUM POSITION CONNECTING SAID VACUUM LINE TO SAID AIR PIPE COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOP OF THE TANK, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY CONNECTING SAID PRESSURE LINE TO SAID AIR EXHAUST AND INTAKE PIPE, TO CREATE A VACUUM IN SAID TANK TO DRAW SEWAGE FROM THE SEPTIC TANK THROUGH THE HOSE AND THE INLET PUMPING PIPE INTO THE TANK WHEN SAID INLET PUMPING VALVE IS OPENED, AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE FOUR-WAY VALVE TO PRESSURE POSITION CONNECTING SAID PRESSURE LINE TO SAID AIR PIPE COMMUNICATING WITH THE TOP OF THE TANK, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY CONNECTING SAID VACUUM LINE TO SAID AIR EXHAUST AND INLET PIPE TO CREATE A PRESSURE IN SAID TANK TO FORCE THE CONTENTS THEREOF THROUGH SAID DUMPING PIPE WHEN SAID DUMPING VALVE IS OPENED. 